Xylitol – benefits, properties, contraindications

Proven content

Today, when many people carefully count calories and fight or care for a slim figure, xylitol is more and more often found in our sugar bowls. It successfully replaces white beet sugar and brown sugar cane.

What is xylitol?

It is also sugar (as a chemical compound it is sugar alcohol), even in appearance and taste xylitol resembles traditional sugar. And this is where the similarity ends. Calories of xylitol are very limited. Although it is much sweeter than beet or cane sugar, it contains as much as 40% less calories, and its glycemic index is 14 times lower than that of sucrose. No wonder anyone who doesn’t want to gain weight or wants to lose weight prefers to use a low-calorie sweetener.

See also: Sugar – a silent killer. What diseases does excess sugar in the diet cause?

Xylitol – origin

The beginning of xylitol dates back to the end of the XNUMXth century and was discovered by two chemists E. Fisher and MG Bertrand. Initially, xylitol had the consistency of a syrup. Its crystalline form was not produced until the Second World Warwhen the lack of sugar caused by the never-ending war increased the need for alternative sweeteners.

Very important to the history of xylitol were the Finns, who had a very large share in its distribution, because they were under a trade block at that time, which made them feel quite severely deprived of sugar, so they started to produce birch xylitol. Interestingly, after the war, studies were carried out, which showed a very good condition of the teeth of the Finns, which led to many studies on the influence of xylitol on the oral cavity.

In the XNUMXs, xylitol was already used in Germany, Switzerland, the Soviet Union and Japan as a sweetener and was recommended especially for diabetic diets and as an energy source in drips administered to patients with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance.

Check it out: Blood sugar levels – norms, table

Corn birch sugar?

Xylitol is called birch sugar. This was justified when it was made of birch bark. Currently corn is used for its production (birch xylitol is rare, it is made by some companies in Finland). However, the corn product has the same properties as birch bark sugar. It is especially recommended for people suffering from diabetes.

What are the benefits of xylitol?

It is a very healthy replacement for regular sugar. There are many advantages:

1. low in calories,
2. low glycemic index, thanks to which the level of sugar and insulin does not rise rapidly,
3. very sweet taste, so a small amount is enough for a dish or drink to be sweet,
4. supports the absorption of calcium,
5. does not contribute, unlike sucrose, to the development of fungi and yeasts in the body,
6. has a bactericidal effect.

The latter property, as well as the sweet taste, determined that xylitol is added to toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewing gum. These products are eagerly used by children. There are also sweets sweetened with this product. Xylitol is marked on the packaging with the symbol E 967. Pure xylitol is available from Medonet Market.

See also: How to lower the sugar level in the body?

Xylitol in the fight against caries and other dental diseases

In the Journal of the American Dental Association, studies have been published that confirm that xylitol is able to prevent tooth decay as well as other dental diseases. This is due to the fact that birch sugar quickly restores the correct pH of the saliva, which in turn reduces the time of exposure of the teeth to harmful acids.

What is important xylitol also inhibits the reproduction of bacteria that cause tooth decay. The same thesis is supported by research by scientists at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, who say that “xylitol clearly reduces the number of dental cases”.

All this means that children should be given xylitol instead of caries-causing sugar. It is also said that it is worth mixing xylitol with saliva and rinsing the mouth with it before administration. Instead, you can also make it into a water solution and rinse your mouth and throat with it.

Find out more: Caries – Who Is Especially At Risk?

Xylitol in the fight against osteoporosis

It has been proven that xylitol increases mineralization, i.e. the absorption of calcium by bones, which makes it restore bone density lost with age. For this reason, xylitol is recommended not only to people diagnosed with osteoporosis, but also to children (although only from the age of 3) whose skeletal system is just being shaped.

It should also not be forgotten that ordinary sugar has the opposite effect, that is, it “flushes” mineral salts out of the body, including calcium.

More on this topic: Osteoporosis – symptoms, treatment, prevention

Xylitol in the fight against diabetes

Xylitol is a compound belonging to the group of polyols, i.e. carbohydrates that are absorbed more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, and their metabolism is practically independent of insulin, i.e. they do not increase blood glucose levels and do not stimulate insulin secretion.

All this makes the xylitol glycemic index (IG = 8) much lower than that of sugar. And the lower the glycemic index, the lower the blood sugar level. This makes xylitol recommended for diabetics, people with impaired glucose tolerance, as well as insulin resistance.

1. The causes of diabetes. What makes us vulnerable to insulin resistance?

Xylitol and yeast development and otitis

It is also impossible not to say that xylitol has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-yeast properties which makes it helpful in preventing mycosis and inflammation, e.g. of the middle ear. According to research, the xylitol solution inhibits the growth of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, and by adding it to the nasal spray, you can also positively fight other strains, e.g. haemophilus in fl uenzae. According to specialists, prophylactic use of xylitol in children may reduce the incidence of otitis media in the range of 20 to 45%.

Equally important Aerosolized xylitol can prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the nasal cavity, which also allows it to be cleansed, and as a result reduces the risk of developing sinus infections, allergies or asthma. Research also shows that xylitol also prevents growth Candida albicans and Helicobacter pylori.

Also check: Maltitol – properties, application, calories, origin

How To Consume Xylitol?

Xylitol has the same uses as sucrose (additive in drinks, cakes, desserts, jams, etc.). You should only significantly reduce its amount, so as not to overdo it with sweetness. You can consume a maximum of 15 g of this substance, i.e. 3 teaspoons per day.

You should get used to this product gradually, because in some people it can cause flatulence and diarrhea (the body has too little enzymes to digest xylitol). So we start with minimal amounts, gradually increasing to 3 teaspoons.

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Xylitol – contraindications

According to scientists from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), xylitol has no known toxic properties. Similarly, the Committee of Experts on Food Additives of the World Health Organization (WHO) claims, which even concluded that there is no daily limit of consumption.

Still, however do not overdo it with the amount of xylitol consumed. An excess of this nutrient in our diet can lead to excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines, slight diarrhea or cramps. Fortunately, this effect is only temporary, and our body gets used to its increased doses throughout the day.

It is worth mentioning that the packaging of products containing xylitol (and other polyols) exceeds 10 percent. weight of the product, the producer must provide information that excessive consumption of xylitol may have a laxative effect.

Contraindications regarding xylitol consumption also apply to people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Due to the fact that some tests on xylitol are still in the course of research, it is worth consulting the introduction of xylitol into the diet of a child with a pediatrician.

Xylitol – price

Many people find it difficult to part with sweet taste. The desire for “sweet” often frustrates your weight loss plan, and plain sugar contributes to an increase in body fat. Therefore, xylitol is a kind of salvation. Price may be an obstacle to its widespread use. A kilogram of this product costs PLN 25-35.

Xylitol – a curiosity

It is well known that xylitol is beneficial in that it is absorbed slowly and has no measurable effect on insulin production. Interestingly, it looks completely different in the case of our pets, i.e. dogs.

In their body, xylitol is confused with glucose, which causes the pet’s body to produce large amounts of insulin. The dog’s cells then gradually absorb glucose from the bloodstream, which can lead to hypoglycaemia, i.e. low blood sugar, and in extreme cases even death. In dogs, xylitol may also have a detrimental effect on the liver, making the liver fail in a larger amount.

To protect our pet from xylitol, we should keep it in a place where the pooch cannot access it.